How Florin Andone celebrated a special Albion anniversary

Very good. Not perfect. A hat-trick would have been perfect.

Just as, according to the striker, a point would be very good at Selhurst Park next Saturday.

And three derby points would be perfect.

The anniversary in question was that of the first hat-trick at the stadium – by Leo Ulloa in a 4-1 win over Huddersfield.

There was little chance of such free-wheeling fun in a far more tense battle this time.

But the goal which put Albion ahead on 79 minutes was very similar to that in the 76th minute by Ulloa which nudged them into a 2-1 lead in 2013.

Delivery from out wide, a good run across his defender by the striker and a glanced header across the keeper.

The Argentinian and the Romanian both arrived in Sussex via second and first divisions in Spain.

And, though different types of players, they both quickly worked their way into fans’ affections.

Hit by a three-match ban which probably cost dear in the two league games he missed, Andone looked fired up and hungry on his return.

Fans love what he offers and they let him know when he left the subs’ bench and went for a run.

Andone told The Argus: “I was very happy because when I went to do the warm-up, the people received me very nicely.

“They sang my name and this is very important for me ab e they love me.

“For me, it is more confidence and I go on the pitch 100% to try to get back for them the good things.

“It was a really good game, we got the three points and this is the most important.”

Asked about the pace he injected into proceedings, Andone said: “I hunt for that. I feel that.

“I knew it was my opportunity and I need to play good and I did that. Now, we will see.”

The goal was Andone’s second in successive games. In between came that three-match ban imposed retrospectively for what was deemed an elbow in the cup replay at West Brom.

Andone was suspended for the home game against Burnley

He said: “I’m honest. I didn’t want to get him with the elbow.

“It was just in the game very fast play and I wanted to protect the ball but it sometimes happens. In my mind I know I didn’t want to do it but this is the past.

“It was very hard because we had the league game and after we had the cup game and I was playing all the cup games.

“It was maybe 90 minutes more and another opportunity to show my football and score goals. I was a little bit sad but sometimes you need to be calm and wait your moment.”

Somewhere along the line, Andone was asked whether his heading had improved thanks to playing and training in England.

He also headed the winner at Huddersfield and nodded home in the FA Cup success at Bournemouth.

Then came the headed finish at West Brom which drew praise from Glenn Murray for its execution but was cancelled out for offside.

So he was asked the question – and somehow, listening back, he never really answered it.

Andone talks to a huddle of reporters a bit like how he plays. All energy and enthusiasm, rapid delivery and occasionally going off in an unexpected direction.

He can surprise – just as he did on the pitch with his turn and blast out of nothing which drew a super one-handed save from Jonas Lossl with the score still 0-0.

Andone is a livewire when playing, talking and celebrating a goal.

“It’s the moment,” he said of his festivities which earned a yellow card from referee Mike Dean.

“I don’t know what I’m doing.

“My character is very strong and I did something but I don’t know what.

“After, when I see the video, I am a little bit embarrassed with my celebration. But this is football, this is the energy and this is the feeling in the moment.”

Andone was still in a hurry after full-time as he got through a series of interviews.

His mum Adriana, visiting from her home about 100 miles from Valencia, was waiting.

He said: “She comes to visit me for three days and I am very happy about that.

“I am a long distance from Spain and my family is very far.

Albion celebrated the sixth anniversary of this Leo Ulloa hat-trick against Huddersfield

“I am here with my girlfriend and always when they can come here it is very important for me.”

Mum no doubt enjoyed her trip to the Amex but will not be experiencing derby day at Selhurst Park or an FA Cup quarter-final in the Lions’ den.

Andone said: “I need to bring my brother now! Maybe he also brings me more luck, we will see!”

He expects Palace to be keen not only to add to excellent recent away wins at Leicester and Burnley but also to avenge their defeat at the Amex.

That was the night Andone really became an Albion cult hero with his solo goal right on half-time.

It remained his last league goal until Saturday.

He said: “It will be a different game. It will be a very hard game.

“They are waiting for us because, in the first game here, we beat them.

“For us, it is very important not to lose. I think one point is very good and, if it is three points, it is perfect.”